Office worker shares rehab journey after quad-bike accident

A Deeside office worker’s desire to get back on her feet as soon as possible after a quad-biking accident helped her to defy expectations.

Danielle was told it could take seven months for her to walk again after breaking her right leg, fracturing her left ankle and heel bone in the crash on 1 September 2016, but her dedication to her rehabilitation instead meant she was back in heels and able to walk using crutches in time for last year’s office Christmas party.

The 28-year-old, who is now back swimming and going to the gym regularly, recently shared her story at a Physiotherapy Awareness Day held at the Countess of Chester Hospital as a thank you to the staff who guided her through her recovery, especially Orthopaedic Therapy Team Leader Helen Birley.

“I’m so grateful to be back doing all the things I want to do so I had to give something back to Helen and her team,” Danielle said. “They spent so much time with me, getting me back on my feet and I hope sharing my story can show others how a positive approach to therapy can make a real difference.”

Danielle, who needed to have pins in her left ankle and heel as well as a nail in her right lower leg, had to be airlifted to hospital after the accident last year.

“It was really scary,” she said. “I just wanted to get back to normal – I couldn’t wait to be able to go out and spend time with my friends again. It really frustrated me just having to sit there and not being able to do anything.”

Danielle, who needed six months off work before she could start a phased return, added: “That’s where Helen was great because she could see how eager I was to run before I could walk so she knew when to push me and when to tell me to slow down and not overdo it. I’m so grateful for everything she has done for me.”

Helen’s team work hard to prepare and host the annual Physiotherapy Awareness Day, giving youngsters from across the local area a chance to find out more about what they do, and she was delighted Danielle offered to present her story to those in attendance.

“It’s great when patients are motivated with clear goals in mind and they understand how we can help them to achieve them,” Helen said. “Danielle was a pleasure to work with and I know that everyone who attended our Physiotherapy Awareness Day will have been inspired to see how we get to make such a difference to patients like her.”